]MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed Maria E. Zielinski as deputy director of the state Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS).

Zielinski’s official start date is Sept. 4, 2012.

Maria Zielinski

“Maria is a great addition and will be an invaluable asset as we continue to transform the way state government runs its financial business,” Abercrombie said. “She has the right background and is highly recommended. I know my financial team and DAGS staff are eager to have her aboard.”

Budget and Finance Director Kalbert Young worked with Zielinski when he served as the finance director for the County of Maui. Young will be working closely with Zielinski as part of her role involves overseeing the state’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).

“Maria has a significant background as a finance executive and will be integral in our efforts to build up finance operations,” Young said. “It will be good to have her on our team.”

Zielinski, 59, has 30 years of extensive financial management experience in non-profit, local government, banking, financial services, commercial property acquisition and development, labor union, agriculture and consumer food commodity production industries.

Since 2010, she has served as the Accounting System Administrator for the County of Maui. Prior to that, she was the Director and Chief Financial Officer for the California School Employees Association.

Zielinski also served as the Chief Financial Officer for Haleakala Ranch and Haleakala Properties, Inc. as well as Chief Financial Officer of Baldwin Pacific Properties.

She is a certified public accountant in the State of New York and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants, New York Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Government Financial Officers Association.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to serve this Administration utilizing my skills and experience,” Zielinski said. “I look forward to working with the DAGS team as well as all other functional areas to help fulfill the governor’s vision and objectives.”

A graduate of the City University of New York Brooklyn College, she holds a bachelor’s degree accounting and biology.